Tuesday: break!

Today was winter break.  I brought the kids to school.  They were excited for their Valentine's parties.

This morning I did work-ish things.  I cleaned all my quilting areas, something I probably haven't done since Joshua was born.  I farmed some food for WoW.  You know, important things.

Ben asked me out to lunch so we went to the Wild Chef.  It was quite empty, probably because most people would be going out in the evening.  It was nice.

Then I relaxed in the afternoon.  I've started watching Travelers, and am quickly watching the season.  I also did some quilting.

For dinner we had pancakes.  I like making pancakes alone because the first few never work out quite right and trying to get everything ready while still being hot.  Isaac was giving me too much feedback on which pancakes he did, or didn't want.  After the second one of "I definitely don't want that one" I threw him out of the kitchen.  Especially since it was not that bad.  In doing so, I managed to make him cry for the second time that day.  (The first time was when I said it wasn't very nice to call the heart I made for him blah.  It was just a passing comment to me, but apparently not to him.)  I understand why he cried and I semi-quickly called him back in and we talked...both of us could have handled it better.  Luckily, he still loves me.

Monday: Duplos

Joshua made some amazing Duplo creations today.  Below is a helicopter...it does spin.

Before dinner he made an amazing birthday cake.  He really wanted it to be his birthday today.  We "discussed" it for about 20 minutes.  And I almost yelled at Ben for saying the words "cough suppressant" when he got home because Joshua heard the word "present" and almost started the whole thing again.

Sunday: reason

"Am I being reasonable?"

I feel like this is the latest I find myself asking myself a lot.  Usually the answer is yes.

It's a bit easier with Isaac because he can articulate his thought process a bit better.  Even if he doesn't do exactly as I ask I can understand what he thinks and sometimes I change and sometimes he needs to change.

It's harder with Joshua because, well, he's two.  I asked him to put his dirty laundry in the basket today.  He got the basket to his room, but then gave up and decided to "sleep."  It was just about nap time anyway, so he had the choice of going to sleep right away or doing his laundry.  He didn't choose laundry and went to the bathroom instead, which I mentioned should be done before his nap.  I did his laundry.  He was very sad to find out upon returning to his bedroom that I meant it and that it was too late for laundry.  After trying, and succeeding, in controlling how many socks he was wearing to bed he finally started to calm down.

Hmm.  We seem to be having the biggest problems around nap time.  Maybe something needs to change.  We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Saturday: winter

One of my favorite things about cold weather is the ability to put food in the garage to keep it cool when there is no room in the fridge.  It's awesome.

I took the boys to a dance party at the library today.  When we got home, they wanted to change into pajamas to be like Ben.

Friday: meh

As with all days, there were many good parts to the day.  However, there seemed to be more bad parts today than normal.  (Including me almost putting Joshua's crib side back on when I said it was nap time and he wouldn't stay in bed.)

He had this pose in the grocery store.  When I got my phone out he wasn't smiling.  Just propping his head up on his hands.  He looked tired.

We also had some heated discussions about music.  Mainly that Joshua wanted it louder and I said no.  We did find that the headphone bags work ok as backpacks for the phone playing the music.

Isaac and Joshua painted their wood letters from Wednesday.  They did an excellent job keeping the mess contained.

Wednesday: Grandpa's machines

Friday we ended up going to Ben's work to see his desk and all his circuits.  We also looked at the other interesting things in his workplace, including the machines.

Joshua was rather distraught when we left.  He loved the machines.  (He still asks Ben about his desk and if he used the circuits that are on it.)  I suggested that maybe we could see Grandpa's machines sometime.  Joshua remembered, and we set up a time with Dad.

We went the the machine shop.  First Dad showed them all the machines.  Then Dad cut some wood and the boys used the drill press to drill circles in the shape of their initial.  Oh, Dad also used the sander to smooth the wood.  I saw lots of smiles while the "smoother" was being used.

Isaac was still curious about the metal cutting machine, so we went back and Dad made a few cuts.

Dad mentioned that his grandpa was a carpenter and that he remembers sitting on a step, watching him cut his pieces with a table saw.  It was fun to see him demonstrate it to his grandkids now.

Isaac: 61 months

Isaac turned 61 months...a week ago.

on the future: we've put Isaac name in the lottery for some schools; we'll find out near the end of the month or early next month if we're in.  Isaac would choose his school based on the playground if he were given a choice.  Yesterday I told him that he was growing up so fast and it made me a bit sad.  He asked why, and I said he would move out someday.  That almost made him burst into tears, so now he is living next door to us and will send pictures, texts, emails, and videos daily, along with seeing us.

on being a puppy: oh, he his still embracing his puppyness.  Joshua has joined in, and now Ben and I often have two puppies crawling around, barking, with their tongues hanging out.

on family: Isaac and Joshua are still getting along very well.  Isaac helps Joshua often, but they play together a lot too.  There are periodic sadnesses between them, but they tend to be resolved fairly quickly.  I am still the favorite parent, but he also has several special things that he does with Ben.

on having fun: He still really likes his screen time, but Legos, circuits, running, and going places are all high on his list.  He can usually turn anything into a game.

For the most part, it's still the same as the past few months.  Isaac is a wonderful boy to have around.